New Children's Rights Study Published - An Assessment of the Privatization of Child Welfare Services

Challenges and Successes

PRESS RELEASE

Published Version of National Study Reveals Benefits and Negative Consequences of Privatization on Children, Families and Child Welfare System.

WHAT:
An Assessment of the Privatization of Child Welfare Services: Challenges and Successes, a new study by Children's Rights, has been published by Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) in soft cover (309 pages at $28.95).

This is the first national study on the effects of privatization on child welfare services. Unlike other studies, which have taken a theoretical or "macro" look at the privatization of child welfare services, the two-year Children's Rights study examines how privatization has played out in reality. Through a careful assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of six different privatization initiatives, the study reveals both benefits and negative consequences of privatization on children, families and the child welfare system itself.

WHY:
As growing numbers of public agencies enter into new arrangements with private, for-profit agencies to provide services to children and families, An Assessment of the Privatization of Child Welfare Services: Challenges and Successes offers important policy and practice recommendations based on "lessons learned" from the case studies of other privatization initiatives. These recommendations can serve as a blueprint for child welfare privatization initiatives in the future.

WHO:
The Policy Department of Children's Rights, a national child advocacy organization, the authors of the study and CWLA, publisher of the study.

WHEN:
Available from CWLA starting Monday, March 10, 2003.

WHERE:
Copies of the study can be ordered from CWLA at 1-800-407-6273

Children's Rights works throughout the United States in partnership with national and local experts, advocates and government officials to document the needs of children in the care of child welfare systems. Children's Rights helps develop realistic solutions and, where necessary, uses the power of litigation to ensure that reform takes place.